Every time Jaguars general manager Gene Smith talks about his confidence in the Jaguars being able to upgrade the offense through free agency, he also mentions the unknowns. Players being re-signed or franchised could impact the process.

It will be very different from last season, when the Jaguars knew exactly who would be available for the duration of the lockout -- nearly five full months.

This year the franchise tag deadline is a mere eight days before free agency opens and teams will be able to negotiate with players for the week after free agency closes. So, for example, if the Chargers opt not to franchise Vincent Jackson (which the San Diego Union-Tribune has reported they won't) they could re-sign him days or hours before it opens at 4 p.m. on March 13.

The third complication is competition. Here's a look at some of the teams who will compete with the Jaguars for receivers this offseason.

New England Patriots: Receiver might be New England's top need this offseason for the Super Bowl runner up. They'll either draft one and sign one in free agency or sign two in free agency. Patriots receiver Wes Welker is scheduled to be a free agent and there's been some speculation the Patriots might franchise him. The Patriots had the second-most passing yards per game last season, but they'll need someone who can stretch the field more.

Indianapolis Colts: Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne are both free agents as is Anthony Gonzalez. Wayne spoke recently about not having heard from the Colts and didn't seem especially pleased by that. "I know one thing, my phone works," Wayne told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I do have service and every last bar on it and their number has not come across it yet. I haven’t heard anything from them yet, so maybe I am not as important on the chain of command as I should be." Keep an eye on Garcon as someone the Jaguars might target. Wayne is probably a little bit out of the age range of what they're looking for, but his departure leaves a big hole the Colts will have to fill.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills and Stevie Johnson will be meeting at the combine in Indianapolis, according to reports, but those reports also state that the two sides are far apart in their negotiations. A franchise tag is possible for Johnson. With or without Johnson, the Bills need at least one receiver. Without him that need becomes more urgent. If Johnson does leave, that's another player the Jaguars might consider.

Cleveland Browns: Ranked 24th in passing offense, the Browns receiving corps doesn't have a true No. 1 and needs one. Greg Little was the Brown's leading receiver, and he only had 61 catches.

Washington Redskins: Not only do the Redskins have major needs at receiver, they have a lot of money they can spend on bringing guys in. According to Sports Illustrated's Peter King, the Redskins have $49 million of cap space, which ties them for fourth in the league with the Denver Broncos. (The Jaguars have just a little bit less at $45 million.)

Denver Broncos: Speaking of the Broncos, quarterback might be the most interesting position in Denver, but they have needs for passing weapons as well. The Broncos ranked 31st in passing offense last year. They signed former Jaguars receiver Jason Hill, but don't expect him to be a No. 1.

St. Louis Rams: Brandon Lloyd might not be back and had 683 yards in 11 games with the Rams last year. Many mock drafts have the Rams taking Justin Blackmon with the second overall pick. They could address the issue earlier through free agency.

@sportsbabebrandi--------it's really not in Gene Smith's job description to connect with the public. His job is to find and select football talent. This will be his third year at the selection end of it and somehow you got to believe he will definitly have plenty of help. New owner, new coach, they will all be in the room.-----------is it football yet?

@sportsbabebrandi Nice concise post with accurate observations that I share wholeheartedly. Great point in WW not getting beyond his realm of relationships, and that GS is likeminded and not a "football mind." I believe in your "vault" line, but GS is on record as believing TT here would be "McGone" in a year or two. Again, with GS "in" this franchise will be "out." Maybe out of Jax, think about the tarps being off, what that would do to team revenues from TV ad sales and sponsorships.

IMO, Wayne Weaver was one of the better owners in the NFL. But he still seems to have slipped up in a couple key ways. The Jaguars still don't seem to have captured the hearts of Northern Floridians (and the rest of the area). Granted there's a loyal base. But beyond that somewhat smallish group, not much. It seems like it should have been a relatively straight-forward thing to do, being the "only game in town". But it didn't happen.

And I think that one reason it didn't was because Weaver had his own view of things, his own relationships, and he didn't seem to be able to get beyond those. GS just looks like one of those cases. Maybe he's an OK technocrat. I don't know. But he hasn't connected with much of the Base and, IMO, shown that he's a strong "football mind".

Shad Khan has put his foot in his mouth with the "only real fans" comment. But, he's also at least seemed like someone who really is interested in what the fans have to say. I think that's a start. There is really no good way to get around the colossal blunder that was letting Tebow slip away. There are some statizens who say "Good!". But they are about 1% of the populace. (Or miffed 'Noles alum who'll never forgive Bobby for his "Greatest leader on a football field that I've ever seen" statement.) Obviously, the fastest way to connect with the region, and vault to the top as "Florida's Team" certainly and probably "America's Team" is to somehow get Tebow.

But reaching out and really trying to embrace the fans is a good start...to alotta things. Khan's started doing that. GS, I don't think, ever has.

@ Jag 60 While a large post can't help but HIT on a few truths you simply missed the jist of my post.

Let me put it to you like this: Current and past players for the Jags will tell you (some only in private) that the Jags management isn't about football. What they mean is management has to (had) run this like a bussiness and make a profit or at least break even. Granted, that was the past. But, keeping GS has allowed a "continuance" from the past, if not in actions, in the players minds (and some coaches). This is the point about GS and the facts that the roster is greatly made up of 3 year players making between 490K and 1 million. The cap room we have is there for a reason: Cheap.

Now, on to your new owner. All I say is show me. Show me the "money is not an object" in your coaching search (which never happened) and HIRE! Didn't happen.

Simply, where is the beef? Where is the back up to words spoken?
In the next few weeks you will witness the actions by GS in regard to FA acquisitions. You will see the "bean counter" mentallity come through again. EB on the team knows it. It is not a good atmosphere when your workers all believe they are unappreciated, underpaid and expendable as a scape goat.

I will ask you to do one thing for insight. Go look at the drafts by any 3 teams from 2005-2010. Count the number still on roster. Then compare to the Jags. I expect after this you may put it all together.

Has GS provided us with a QB? Polian, w/o a back up plan and the house riding on Manning got canned. GS, w/o the Manning on roster even, had the same lack of vision! I am not happy with Khan keeping GS because as an organizational move it was not wise.
Had GS done anything to make this team better I would not criticize this. On the contrary, our record shows we have degressed. I am sorry to be the one to tell you fans that this is all a replay of seasons past, of offseasons past, and the carryover of the player/coaches attitude is the LARGEST impediment Malarkey will have to overcome. JDR came in with that "fire in the belly" too. Remember? Or do you only see through teal glasses, drinking the teal kool aide and refuse to see the hole this roster is in?